Doctoral programme on Inequalities, Interventions and New Welfare State (DPInvest) at the University of Turku invites applications for fixed-term doctoral researcher positions funded by the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS).
The Doctoral Programme in Inequalities, Interventions and New Welfare State is a cross-disciplinary, international PhD programme aimed at educating specialists in social and behavioural sciences. The doctoral programme includes sociology and psychology in the Faculty of Social Sciences and child psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine.
DPInvest is part of the INVEST Research Flagship Centre, which is one of the internationally leading research centres studying inequality and wellbeing unfolding from the early life-course onwards. INVEST´s cross-disciplinary research addresses societal changes brought on by demographic trends, digitalization and polarization.
Societal challenges are addressed through five research themes:
- Socioeconomic and intergenerational inequalities
- Demographic changes and family dynamics
- Education, skills and learning
- Child and adolescent psychosocial well-being and mental health
- Public health and health equity
Our goal is to improve the sustainability of the welfare state with evidence-based interventions and investments.
Job description
A doctoral researcher position begins on 1 January 2027 or by agreement during the year 2027.
When determining the length of the employment, previously awarded funding for doctoral studies as well as the planned schedule and stage of the doctoral degree will be taken into account. The duration of a UTUGS‑funded fixed‑term doctoral researcher position is at most four years, but not beyond 31 December 2030. The basis for the fixed-term employment is doctoral researcher's work related to their doctoral studies.
A person who already holds a doctoral degree cannot be selected to a doctoral researcher position. The doctoral researcher position requires working in Finland and the place of work is Turku.
The position is intended for full‑time doctoral research and doctoral studies. Participation in teaching and other duties should be arranged so that the dissertation can be completed within the planned timetable. The employment contract is based on a total annual working time of 1,612 hours, which gives the doctoral researcher flexibility to arrange working hours. As a rule, teaching and other duties may account for up to 5% of the annual working time (approximately up to 80 hours per academic year).
Who we are looking for
When applying for a doctoral researcher position
• You must hold an active study right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Turku in the Faculty of Social Sciences or Faculty of Medicine, Doctoral Programme on Inequalities, Interventions and New Welfare State (DPInvest). In addition, when acquiring the degree or otherwise, you are required to have demonstrated the ability to undertake postgraduate studies and the capacity to complete a doctoral degree in accordance with the research plan. (University of Turku Rules of Procedure 13.12.2024).
• or if you have not yet been granted right to pursue a doctoral degree, you must apply for the right to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme on Inequalities, Interventions and New Welfare State (DPInvest) in this call via the Studyinfo (Opintopolku) service (see the instructions and call for applications on the DPInvest admission page). The right to pursue a doctoral degree is a prerequisite for being selected for a position of a doctoral researcher;
• You are planning to pursue or pursuing your first doctoral degree;
• You have not previously received four years of full‑time funding for doctoral studies (employed as a doctoral researcher by the University of Turku).
• The doctoral researcher position requires working in Finland and the place of work is Turku.
Please note that the degree requirements for the doctoral programme include compulsory advanced methodological training, particularly in quantitative methods, studies in the programme’s research areas, seminars, multidisciplinary thematic workshops, mobility studies, and other studies. Completing the compulsory studies also requires attendance on campus. See DPInvest curriculum 2024–2027 by the faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences / Faculty of Medicine
Selection criteria and evaluation of applications
Applicant’s research topic must fit the profile of the doctoral programme. The doctoral programme’s steering group will evaluate applications after the deadline and may use external experts as necessary. Research plans submitted with applications may be checked with Turnitin OriginalityCheck for plagiarism in accordance with the University’s quality system; the use of artificial intelligence and how it was used in preparing the research plan may also be assessed.
Applicants selected for UTUGS fixed‑term doctoral researcher positions must meet the eligibility requirements defined in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure (13.12.2024).
In the selection, the following aspects are also evaluated:
- Quality of the research plan (general quality, feasibility, relation to doctoral programme research profile)
- Success in previous studies, if the applicant has not yet started a doctoral degree at the University of Turku (master’s thesis, or equivalent, grade and other studies)
- Scientific merit and progress in doctoral studies
- How well the research plan is linked with the research themes of the programme
The evaluation is carried out as an overall assessment, taking into account the stage of the research career. The funding needs of applicants in relation to the funding periods available will also be taken into account. The doctoral programme is multidisciplinary and aims to promote all research fields, which may be taken into consideration when positions are filled.
For applicants who have previously been granted the right to pursue a doctoral degree, progress in doctoral research and doctoral studies will also be assessed; prior funding received for the completion of the doctoral degree may be taken into account when determining the duration of a doctoral researcher position.
Evaluation groups appointed by the doctoral programme’s steering group will evaluate eligible applications. Based on the evaluation, the doctoral programme’s steering group will make a proposal for selection to the UTUGS fixed‑term doctoral researcher positions.
We offer
The University of Turku offers an international research environment and high-quality supervision for doctoral dissertation research. We offer you responsible and interesting tasks and the opportunity to develop your professional skills in a versatile operating environment. In your work, you will be part of a large group of doctoral researchers, other researchers, and supervisors in the doctoral programme and Graduate School. We take care of your well-being at work and the functionality of your everyday life, e.g. with the help of flexible working hours and our well-being services.
The European Commission has awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research quality label. The label is a token of the University's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers according to the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers.
Please read more about University of Turku as an employer from our Come work with us! pages.
The university offers good support and orientation for international hires. Please learn more about the Finnish culture and relocation to Finland:
The University of Turku is among the top of the world’s universities in most rankings and among the best universities in the world in certain fields. Our high-quality basic research, a multidisciplinary research profile and close cooperation in research infrastructures creates the basis for international top research. Read more about University of Turku in international university rankings.
Salary and trial period
Salary is based on the salary system of the University’s teaching and research staff. Salary will consist of a task-specific salary component and a personal performance salary component.
The task-specific salary component of a doctoral researcher varies between levels 2 to 4, depending on the stage of the doctoral degree. In addition, a personal performance salary component is paid. The salary of a doctoral researcher ranges roughly from € 2,400 to € 3,300 depending on progress of the doctoral research and the experience and skills of the person concerned. The level of task-specific salary component of a new doctoral researcher is generally assessed as level 2.
The probationary period is six months, however not more than half of the employment period.
How to apply
Doctoral researcher positions are applied for by completing the electronic application form in the University of Turku recruitment system (Talentti) and submitting the required attachments (see Attachments below). The recruitment form opens at the start of the application period on 25 August 2026 and closes on 8 September 2026 at 23:59 (local time in Finland).
Applicants must submit all required attachments by the application deadline; late applications will not be processed and the chosen doctoral programme cannot be changed nor can the application be amended after the deadline.
Selection to a doctoral researcher position requires an active right to pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme on Inequalities, Interventions and New Welfare State (DPInvest); if you have not yet been granted study right, you must apply for one in Studyinfo (see the instructions and call for applications on the DPInvest admission page). More information on applying for the study right is available from the Doctoral programme's admission page: https://www.utu.fi/en/research/utugs/dpinvest/admission.
Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 8.9.2026 at 23.59 (Europe/Helsinki).
Attachments
Ensure that all attachments are high‑quality, easy‑to‑read, full-colour scans or photographs of the entire required document. Attachments should be submitted in PDF format. Attachments that do not meet these requirements may be rejected. Name each file so that the filename clearly shows both your name and the document type (for example: surname-firstname-CV).
All application documents are recommended to be written in English.
Applicants must include with their application the following obligatory attachments:
1) Curriculum Vitae
(CV), max 3 pages. A CV includes a list of publications. Please see the instructions of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity for writing a CV https://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae
2) Research plan, max 6 pages (see instructions, ‘Research plan and study plan’)
When preparing the research plan you must follow the principles of good scientific practice (link to TENK’s guidelines on good scientific practice). The research plan may be checked with the Turnitin OriginalityCheck plagiarism‑detection system. Any use of artificial intelligence (AI) as an aid in preparing the research plan must be clearly declared in the application.
If the research has already started, the research plan must be up to date and reflect the current stage of the project.
3) Motivation letter, max 2 pages
Reasons for applying a funded doctoral researcher position. Motivation letter is a maximum of two-page-long freeform document, which includes the motivation for pursuing doctoral studies in DPInvest, University of Turku.
4) Degree certificate and transcript of study records
Attach to the electronic application form:
- the scanned or electronic original certificate of the higher university degree (e.g. Master’s degree),
- the scanned or electronic original transcript of study records of the higher university degree
If the documents are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, you must also submit an official translation into one of those languages; an official translation is accepted if issued by the degree‑awarding university or produced by an authorised translator. A Diploma Supplement (DS) issued by a European higher education institution may be accepted instead of an English translation of the degree certificate and transcript, provided it contains the details of the study records.
5) Supervisor’s statement (add to “Other attachments")
- If you currently have a right to pursue a doctoral degree in DPInvest at UTU: a statement from the main supervisor of the doctoral thesis, indicating the supervisor's assessment of the progress of the research, the funding plan for the doctoral thesis (both secured and planned funding) and the estimated date of the defence (autumn/spring 20xx)
- If you don’t yet have a right to pursue a doctoral degree in DPInvest at the University of Turku: a commitment from the supervisor to supervise the doctoral thesis
6) Information on completed studies in DPInvest
- If you currently have a right to pursue a doctoral degree in DPInvest, UTU: Up-to-date transcript of study records for doctoral studies downloadable from the Peppi system (add to “Study transcript of the completed postgraduate studies”)
7) Any other documents relevant to the selection
In addition, the application must include information on the major subject:
- If you currently have a right to pursue a doctoral degree in DPInvest, add information on your major subject on the form.
- If you don’t yet have a right to pursue doctoral degree in DPInvest, add information on the major subject you are applying for in StudyInfo service. Note! You have to apply for the doctoral degree study right with a separate application form in Studyinfo service.
Decisions on selections
The decision on appointment to a doctoral researcher position is made by the head of the relevant department or unit on the basis of the doctoral programme steering group’s proposal. All applicants will be notified of the programme’s decision personally and the names of the persons offered positions will be published on the doctoral programme web pages; selected applicants must confirm acceptance of the position in accordance with the instructions in the decision.
Further information
Link to the doctoral programme website: https://www.utu.fi/en/research/utugs/dpinvest
Link to the faculty web pages: https://www.utu.fi/en/university/faculty-of-social-sciences
Link to the UTUGS web pages: https://www.utu.fi/en/research/utugs
With questions about applying, please contact, Doctoral Education Specialist Kirsi Tammi: [email protected].
Contact details for the doctoral programme coordinator and director:
Doctoral Education Specialist Kirsi Tammi, Director Christina Salmivalli
[email protected]
Contact details for the faculty: [email protected]
